Agriculture-related degree - 2 Viticulture certificate (Okanagan College & Washington State University)
Farm management (3 years+) - Working on my 15th vintage in vineyard. 5 years - Farm operator, 2 years - Assistant vineyard manager, 4 years - Vineyard Manager, 4 years - Owner & operator of small vineyard management company & consultant..
General farming (3 years or less) - Worked in greenhouses, orchards, anything from land prep to picking.
Other experience/agricultural/business training - heavy trailer endorsment & commercial fleet - hauling, Lots of experience with irrigation (install, maintain, repairs), mechanically capable
Do you have a business plan?
No - The nature of my business is constanly changing, I don't have a set end goal or a plan structured to a specific monetary outcome.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
Yes - I have access to some credit but not enough to purchase land. I currently own enough farm equipment to look after vineyards
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
No - As of now I am managing existing vineyards, so I don't really need capital investments at the moment. Unless I need to start a vineyard from scratch!
Project
Farm Name
Corvus
Farm Project Description
Finding a vineyard to lease for my existing vineyard management company. I want to diversify my income and find land that I can look after long term. Managing properties is good for cashflow, but investing my time and resources there often does not pan out when circumstances change. Leasing can be a bit more of a gamble but I know that with the proper acreage I could make it work efficiently. I'd love to have a vineyard long enough to benefit from all the improvements made along the way.
I am also open to establish bare land if a good opportunity arises, or invest in re-planting if needed be.
Preferred Arrangement
Registered Lease on Title -
Lease -
Sale of Land -
Other - lease to own
Duration of the desired agreement
more than 3 years, ideally
Ideal date to obtain land by
before I'm too old to farm
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
Less than 100
Wooded Area (acres)
No
Cultivable Area (acres)
Less than 20
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes - If there is acreage worth planting
Zoning
Either
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
An existing vineyard with functional irrigation. The vines don't have to be in perfect shape, as long as the cost is proportional to their condition and potential. I have no problem investing in re-planting or modifying the system for optimal use and efficiency if need be.
Bonus points if there is room to park equipment, a fence, or a flushable toilet.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - it's their land..
Need farm buildings
No
Need fenced land
No
Need farm machinery and tools
Yes - I don't need anything in particular, but i'm always looking
Need established water source and infrastructure
Water from the town or well, filter, drip and/or overheads/maxijets. Ideally automated
Need on-site housing
No
Production type
Orchard/Fruit - Grapes
Type of agriculture
Certified Organic -
Organic -
Conventional -
Other - sustainable
Soil needs
neutral to slightly acidic soils (5.5-7.5 pH), good drainage
Will acquire commercial insurance
No - I am not entirely sure of what it entails as I've never bought this kind of insurance. Put down "no" for good measure
